The five key elements

No. 1: IN SAFE HANDS GOALKEEPER Khairul Fahmi Che Mat

SINCE the 21-year-old Khairul made the first 11, Malaysia have conceded only one goal in five outings.

Mohd Sharbinee Allawee started in the opening group match against Indonesia (Dec 1), which Malaysia lost 1-5. But Khairul, playing in his first senior international tournament, had been beaten only once in the 5-1 win over Laos.

Khairul has had a successful season, having won the Malaysia Cup with Kelantan and was named best goalkeeper and young player of the year in the national football awards last month.

He was outstanding in the Malaysian Under-23 squad at the Guangzhou Asian Games last month. He showed no nerves and pulled off several daring saves in matches against Asian giants Japan (0-2) and Iran (1-3).

No. 2: IN ORGANISATION CENTREBACK Muslim Ahmad

THE Malaysian defence was rated as the weakest link at the start of the tournament.

All four key players in the backline were not available for national duty because of injuries. This thrusted the Harimau Muda (national Under-21) defender into playing the key role in the heart of defence with the baby of the squad, Mohd Fadhli Shas, who is only 19.

The flankbacks, Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar (left) and Mohd Sabree Mat Abu (right), also lacked international experience.

But the back four have tightened their discipline in defending, especially Mohd Muslim, who is more organised and plays with an air of confidence for a rookie senior international. He has been dominant in dealing with aerial threats.

The Malaysian defence will again be in for a major test against an Indonesia side having to make up a 0-3 deficit in front of their home fans.

No. 3: IN COMMAND SKIPPER Safiq Rahim

THERE is no doubt that Malaysia’s strongest department is their midfield, who has Safiq Rahim as the general of an enterprising unit comprising Amar Rohidan (central) and flankers S. Kunalan (left) and Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal (right).

But Amirul is suspended for the match and the likely replacement is “Baby-face Assassin” Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin.

Coach K. Rajagopal has given information to Safiq in carrying out his task in the engine room in a more defensive approach. Malaysia have a three-goal cushion and they will have shut out Indonesia right from the start in midfield battle.

No. 4: IN WIZARDRY STRIKER Norsharul Idlan Talaha

HE is a gem of a player, who has been described by coach K. Rajagopal as “special” in the national team.

Norsharul has a lot of tricks up his sleeves and has been a major threat to many teams with his flashes of brilliance inside the box. The 24-year-old Kelantan striker has used his trademark “sudden dash and burst of speed” into the box from the side lines with much success.

It was a key element in helping Malaysia win the SEA Games gold medal for the first time in 20 years in Vientiane last December. Malaysia need him to weave his magic against in the Indonesian box tonight.

No. 5: IN KILLER INSTINCT STRIKER Mohd Safee Sali

A LOT will be on Mohd Safee Sali’s shoulders to kill off the Indonesian challenge for the Suzuki Cup.

The Selangor striker, who scored a brace in the first-leg final to take his tally to four goals, will be counted on to do the damage on Indonesia again.

One goal more for Malaysia tonight should be game over for Indonesia. And Safee, who forms a lethal combination with Norsharul, has the speed and the qualities to finish them off, even from aerial challenges, to give Malaysia a first-ever AFF title since the tournament’s inception in 1996.